Creating Quality Afterschool Programs

District 3 WACEC MeetingJanuary 9, 2009

Presented by :Jean Berger4-H Youth Development AgentMarathon County UW-Extension

Debbie Moellendorf4-H Youth Development AgentLincoln County UW-Extension

Out-of-School Time Key to Children’s Success

• Programs children engage in play a key role in:– Ongoing learning by providing opportunities

for exploring interests– Gaining important lifelong skills such as

problem solving, conflict resolution, teamwork and leadership

– Providing opportunities to positively connect with adults

Source: School’s Out! Out-of-School Time Key to Children’s Success, A WisKids Policy Brief, Fall 2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

Growing Body of Research suggests….

• Afterschool programs have positive effects on outcomes such as, – Motivation– Engagement in Learning– Expectations of Success– Social Competencies

Source: School’s Out! Out-of-School Time Key to Children’s Success, A WisKids Policy Brief, Fall 2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

After-school Programs also…

• Keep youth out of trouble by providing a safe and structured time during critical afternoon hours.

• Provides an important ingredient to parent’s employment stability.

Source: School’s Out! Out-of-School Time Key to Children’s Success, A WisKids Policy Brief, Fall 2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

Quality Out of School Time… Makes a Difference in School

• Children of color and children from low income families gain the most ground when they have access to high-quality out of school experiences

• Math scores improved when youth participated in afterschool programs

• Youth who have access to summer enrichment programs avoid the “summer slide”

• Quality programs are those which provide: • access to sustained participation• appropriate supervision and structure, well prepared

staff and intentional programming• partnerships with families, other organizations (4-H

clubs) and schoolsSource: “More than Fun and Games” Quality Out of School Time for All Kids Makes a Difference in School; WisKids Count Issue

Brief, Summer 2008

People agree….

• From education experts to law enforcement to parents, there is universal agreement that afterschool programs reinforce student learning and provide safe havens and enrichment opportunities during non-school hours.

Source: School’s Out! Out-of-School Time Key to Children’s Success, A WiKids Policy Brief, Fall 2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

UW-Extension’s Role…

• Assessment of Need• Support for Grant Writing and other

Funding• Provide Training and Curriculum

Resources • Work with Older Youth to Teach

Programs in Afterschool Settings• UW-Ext. Staff Teaching Programs• Implement Afterschool Programs• Integrate youth into 4-H Clubs• Evaluate Impact of Afterschool Programs

Assessment of Need

• Survey community, parents and students to determine need

• Survey of community afterschool programs to determine what was already in place and where there are gaps

• Work with key partners to determine appropriate role for UW-Extension

Grants and Other Funding

• Collaborate on 21st Century Grants

• CYFAR Federal Funding

• Safe and Stable Families Funding

• MetLife Afterschool Funding

• Solicit Community Donations, including in-kind contributions

• Support from 4-H Leaders’ Organizations

Provide Training and Curriculum Resources

• Training for Day Care Providers, School Staff and Afterschool Staff

• Provide access and support for use of 4-H Curriculum in afterschool setting

• Facilitate participation in regional and state afterschool training opportunities

Experiential Learning Model

Work with Older Youth to Teach Programs

• Train Middle School Youth to work with summer elementary program

• Train 4-H Ambassadors to lead 4-H projects and anti-bullying programs (Boomerang)

• 4-H Ambassadors facilitated community service projects and wrote grants

UW-Extension Staff Teach

• Teach 4-H project related curriculum – Basketry– Knitting and Crocheting– Rocketry– Cake Decorating– Science and Engineering – Foods and Nutrition– Multi-cultural programming

Implement Afterschool Program

• Organize Steering Committee to implement afterschool program for middle school

• Coordinate and supervise afterschool staff

• Manage funds for afterschool program

“After the Bell”

A free opportunity for middle school youth to participate in enrichment activities through the support of community organizations and businesses, Merrill Area Public Schools and Lincoln County UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development.

“After the Bell”

• The program allows students a safe place to play board games, complete homework, make crafts, visit with friends and have a snack. In addition, special enrichment program are offered each day.

Nutrition and Fitness Programs

Donation of Homemade Treats for Humane Society Animals

“Pillow Patrol” Donation to HAVEN

Knitting Infant Hats for Aspirus Birthing Center

Sewing Rice Packs for Harbor House Residents

Program Participants create “Thank You’s” and Present Them to Program Supporters

“After the Bell Plus”

A tutoring component held in conjunction with the “After the Bell” program which is supported through a grant that the Merrill School District received for the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years.

A Quote

“The After the Bell program has caught a few of our students that could otherwise, very easily have fallen through the proverbial “crack”. Not having anyone at home to involve them in worthwhile, fun and engaging activities, those students are having a crucial need fulfilled….”

7th Grade Teacher

2005-06 Survey

One More Quote

“The PRMS After the Bell program is one of the best after school programs I have ever seen in operation. The students just love it! It has been growing by leaps and bounds! Our own staff tutors the students and have made unbelievable bonds! Kudos to Lincoln County Extension service for the vision to make this happen for our kids!”

Principal during 2005-06 School Year

Community Organizations and Businesses supporting….• Ace Hardware• Beta Eta Chapter Xi Alpha Nu• Church Mutual Christmas Is

Committee• Dave’s County Market• F-M Enterprises, Inc.• Friends of the School Forest• Individual Members of Curves• Good Samaritan Health Center –

Mission and Values Committee• Gruett’s Appliance Center• Kiwanis Club of Greater Merrill• Little Red Barn in Action• Lincoln County Bank• Lincoln County Home and

Community Education• Lincoln County 4-H Leaders’

Association, Inc.• Lincoln County Safe and Stable

Families Grant• Merrill Area Public Schools After

School Tutoring Grant

• Merrill Area United Way• Merrill Eagles Aerie 584• Merrill Forward Together Healthy

Community Initiative, Inc.• Merrill Social and Sick Benefit

Society, Inc.• Mid-Wisconsin AmVets Post 2000

Auxiliary• Optimist Cub of Merrill• Park City Credit Union• River Valley State Bank• Schmitt Manecke Donner Auxilery

Post #1638• Social Topics Club• Stifel, Nicolaus and Company, Inc.• T.B. Scott Library Staff• Wal-Mart• Plus Individuals Have Made

Donations and Fundraisers:– Loaf and Ladle Concert– Sale of Paper Light Bulbs– Food Stand/Bake Sales

Integrate Youth into 4-H Clubs

• Youth are enrolled as 4-H members• Each session is a 4-H meeting including

pledges, attendance, group decisions using democratic process, a 4-H project and community service

• Receive same benefits as a 4-H community club member

• Year ends with opportunity to participate in County Fair and/or public recognition

“Newcomers” at Their 1st Fair!

Middle School CYFAR

Building Bridges

Engineering Experiments!

Working Across Cultures

Group Planning

Elementary Programs

Community Service

4-H Ambassadors as Mentors

Youth also take on leadership roles …

• Serve as members of the Steering Committee• Market the program to others• Provide input at the program• Give back to the community through service

opportunities• Teach and/or serve as helpers at the program• Conduct fundraisers • Recognize those who make program possible • 4-H youth hired to staff summer programs

Evaluate Impact

• Utilize UW-Extension evaluation tools to assess impact of programs

• Tools are issued to students, parents/guardians, and school staff

• Prepare impact reports for funders and other key stakeholders

Thank you

Any questions?